Envelop-sealing apparatus.



lATENTED JUNE 5, 1906.

B. J. BRASSEURI ENVELOP SEALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT1.

I Lm l HUM w.

WITNESSES: KM (f PATENTED JUNE 5, 1906.

E. J. BRA$SEUR.

ENVELOP SEALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29. 1905.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WITNESSiS: X M 0/ @Lil if ATTORNEY No. 822,572. PATENTED JUNE 5, 1906., E. J. BRASSEUR.

ENVELOP SEALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 3 ERNEST J. BRASSEUR, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO A. B. DICK COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ENVELOP-SEALING APPARATUS- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5, 1906 Application filed March 29, 1905- Serial No. 252,730-

ers, whereby the fla s of such envelops, moistened, preferably, uring the feeding operation, shall be firmly attached in position.

In carrying out the invention in an approved form provision is made for supporting the envelo s in a pile, the fia s downward, and an un e'rlying forwarding evice, hereinafter termed a picker, so coacts successively with the lowermost envelop as to remove the same from the under side ofv such pile and forward the same to combined pressmg and passing rolls, there being associated with such forwarding device or picker means for moistening the adhesive material on the inner surfaces of the flaps of such envelops. A common source of power is utilized both to actuate the picker and the pressing and passing rolls, and guide mechanism is provided for such picker, whereby an ular movement is given the effective forwar edge'thereof to assure reliable operation in removing the lowermost envelop of the pile. Provision is also made for guarding against the removal of more than a single envelop at a time, and all the parts mentioned, as wellas others associate with such parts in the construction and operation of the machine, are of such character as to permit ready repair or re-' moval and replacing.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which F'gm'e 1 is a central vertical section, partly in elevation, of sealing apparatus embodying my invention. Fig\ 2 is an end view, partly broken away to show details. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the bed whereon the envelops are mounted. Fig. 4 is a detail sectionai view partly in elevation, illustrating a preferred form of envelop stop and roll for pressing the envelop-flap against the moistening device as well as assisting in the feeding operation. a

Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating a preferred means for mounting the pressin and passing rolls, and Fig. 6 illustrates an a justable connection between one of the picker-operating crank-arms and its actuating-lever.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar letters denote corresponding parts, the frame consists, generally speakin of the two side members A A of any suitab e design and here shown as connected by tie-rods a, a", a", and a Eritendin laterally between the side members of t e frame and preferably con nected therewith in any suitable manner are the vertical abutment-plate B, against which the forward edges of the envelop-pile may be placed, and the horizontal bed-plate C, upon which said pile may be laid. The forward portion of said bed-plate C is cut away at c, as clearly shown in Fi 3, in order to permit the flap c of an e'nve op c to spring downwardly below said bed-plate b its own elasvticity for the purpose hereina ter explained.

D designates a ide, preferably L-shaped in plan view, for t e envelop-pile, and coacting with this are slidin. gages D, here shown as two in number, each provided with a setscrew d, coacting with a slot d in the bedplate C. If desired, the guide D may be secured to one or both of said gages D. As shown in Fig. 3, said gages are movable toward and from the abutment-plate B.

D designates a third gage, also provided with a set-screw d coacting with a transverse slot (1 formed in the bed-plate C. Said gage D is provided with the upwardl -extending gulde-plate 11 By means 0 the constructlon described themachine isadapted to receive and operate upon envelops of varying width and length.

E designates a vertically-adjustable envelop stop, here shown as secured, by means of .plate 6 and bolts or screws 0, upon the abutment-plate B. Said stop may he of any desired material, but preferably of rubber, and extends downwardly to about the horizontal plane of the bedplate C. Preferably said stop will be recessed at intervals along its lower edge, as shown at 6 the recesses corresponding in width with the width of sectional rolls f, carried by a shaft F, the ends whereof are mounted in arms f, pivoted at f 2 to the inner surfaces of the side mem here A A of the frame, and with which arms vcoast ceii-springsf, connected at their upper ends to the tie-rod a whereby said shaft F and the sectional rollsf, carried thereby, are normally held up into close coaction with the envelo stop E, said sectional rolls lying within the recesses 0 formed in said stop.

G designates the main power-shaft of the apparatus, one end whereof is mounted in the side plate A of the frame, extending through such side plate and provided outside the same with operating means-such, for instance, as crank-arm g and handle g..- The other end of said power-shaft G is mounted in an aux iliary frame-plate H, secured in position by any suitable 1neansas, for instance, upon the tie-rods a a a Additionally said plate may rest upon and be secured to a shelf-plate I, having angular downturned ends, whereby said plate may be screwed or otherwise secured to the inner faces of the side members A A of the frame. Said shaft G extends throu h the auxiliary frame-plate H and is provided outside said auxiliary plate and betweenthe same and the side member A of the frame with driving-pinion G.

L L and M M designate pressing and passin rolls each mounted upon a shaft journa ed at one end in the side member A of the frame and at its other end in the auxiliary frame-plate H. The shafts of said rolls L and M extend through said auxiliary frameplate H and are provided outside the same with pinions l and m, meshing with the driving-pmion G on the main shaft G. In the.

arran ement of the rolls just described the rolls M receive only 'such movement as may be imparted to them by the movement of the rolls L and M; but, if desired, said rolls L M may be positively driven by a suitable connection with the main driving-pinion G. A preferred'means for yieldingly mounting the shafts of the rolls L M is illustrated in Fig. 5, the same comprising inwardly-projecting boxes h 71, formed integral with or secured to the auxiliary framesplate H and the side member A of the frame, respectively. Within these boxes may be mounted coilsprings h exerting upward pressure upon bearing-blocks h in which the ends of the shafts of said rolls L M are journaled.

Detachably secured,to the shelf-plate I is the reservoir N, containing water for the flapmoistener, presently to be described. In the present instance this reservoir is shown as comprising the curved bottom a and sides n and is supported by means of screw-studs n provided with nuts n Said screw-studs and nuts coact with slots 11*, formed in said shelfplate I. As will be seen, the reservoir may readily be detached from its su port by loosening the nuts n in order to c eanse or repair the same or to fill it with Water. present embodiment of the invention I have shown said reservoir as provided with a pad a of felt or other absorbent material.

R designates the envelop-picker, pivoted Also in the intermediate of its ends upon crank-arms r r, keyed or otherwise secured upon a rock-shaft r*, to which is also secured 'a crank-arm 7 If desired, the crank-arms r and r together with a connecting sleeve or collar r for the lower end thereof, may be formed integral, as shown in Fig. 2.

S designates a connecting arm or pitman,

one end whereof is movably and eccentric-- ally mounted at 8 upon the outer surface of the main driving-pinion G, the other end thereof being pivotally connected at s with the crank-arm r. In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a preferred means for connecting the pitinan S with the crank-arm r, such means comprising a bushing s", coat-ting with a correspondingly-shaped orifice in the end of said pitinan S and provided with a screw-stud s at one side of its center, whereby connection is made between said bushing s (and conscquently the pitman S) and the crank-arm 1". This provision makes a nice ad ustinent ossible to vary the throw of the picker R, as will readily be understood.

In order to govern the movement of the picker R in its operation of se arating an em velop from the under side 0 the overlying pile and to feed the same forwardly to the rolls L L, I provide a guide-rib or equivalent device and means for maintaining said picker in contact therewith. As an illustration I have shown in the drawings a guide-rib or cam T secured in position by any suitable meansas, for instance, by rivets tto the inner surface of the side member A of the frame. With said guide-rib or cam coacts a sheave t, carried by the picker R, as clearl maintained in contact with said rib or cam by means, for instance, of the coil-spring t the lower end whereof is connected with the rock-shaft r or made fast in any suitable manner to the inner surface of the side member A of the frame. The guiding-surface of the guide-rib or cam T is provided with a shoulder t the surface beyond (rearward of) said shoulder being, like that forward thereof, formed on the arc of a circle, but of a circle of greater diameter. Due to this construction the forward end of the picker R is in operation moved u ward, so as to pass between the flap cand t e body 0 of the envelop, and then, when the sheave t and shoulder t are brought into coaction, downward to pass such envelop past the stop E and then forward until the folded edge of said envelop is grasped between the rolls L and L, throu hwhich the envelops are fed to the rolls M an M, whence they may drop into a tray or other receptacle of any suitable design.

In order to moisten theadhesive substance on the inner faces of the envelop-flaps, I provide a flap-moistene'r U, of felt or other suitable absorbent material, and preferably the forward end of this is secured to the under seams side of the picker R near its forward end, as shown in Fig. 1 Also to prevent disarrangement I prefer to secure the rearward end of the moistener U to the pad n contained 5 within the reservoir N. The flap-moistener Uwill be kept more or less saturated by capil lary attraction, drawing the water from said reservoir and from the absorbent pad 71, therein. As will be seen, Fig. 1, as the picker it moves forward between an envelop-flap and the body of the envelop the beveled forward end of said picker forces downward the sectional rolls f, which thereupon exert upward pressure against the enve op-flap,pressing the same firmly against the moistener U ,andpthereby moistenlng the adhesive substance on the inner surface of said flap previous to the delivery of the envelop to the rolls L L.

The operation of the apparatus has been described to a considerable extent in connection with the description of the several parts thereof. "The,envelop-pile is laid upon the bed C, the gages D and D being properly ad justed to bear against the'same in manner above described in order to securely hold the same against displacement. The forward vertical edge of the pile will rest against or in proximity to the abutment-plate B. Power eing then applied to the main shaft G, the

picker B may be vibrated as rapidly as desired backward and forward, the forward end thereof oneach forward movement passin between an envelop-fla and the connected body of the envelop an feeding the same forward and at the same time through the agency of the moistener U moistening the a hesive substance thereon. When such picker reaches the extreme of its forward movement, (a point which may be nicely determined by the rovision, Fi 6, above described,) the enve op is graspe by the rolls L L and both fed forward and pressure applied to seal the fla firmly to the body, after which the enve o is again grasped and fed forward by the ro ls MM.

- Having now described In invention, what I claim as new therein, and esire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows: 1

1. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a picker coacting with such envelop between the flap and body thereof and means for reciprocating said picker over a curved path,.substantially-as set forth.

2. The combination with means for sup portion an envelop, of a vibrating picker acting with such envelo between the flap and bodythereof, and means for guiding the advancing edge of said picker to move the same in a broken line, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a vibrating picker co- 6 acting with such envelop between the flap sect i onal A line, su

and body thereof, and means for transmittin movement to the forward edge of said ic er in-a broken line, substantially as set orth.

4. The combination with means for sup porting an envelop, of a stop and a vibrating picker and means for actuating said picker to causeit to engage such envelop between the flap and body thereof and advance said envelop past said stop in a broken line, substantially as set'forth.

5. The combinationwith means for supporting an envelop, of a stop, a vibrating picker coacting w1th such envelop between the flap and body thereof to advance said envelop past said stop, and means for transmitting movement in a broken line to the forward edge of said picker, substantially as set forth. 1

6. The combination with means for sup porting an envelop, of a picker coacting with such envelop between the flap and body thereof, means for reci rocating said picker over a curved path, an a flap-moistener coactingv withsaid picker and said flap, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a vibrating picker coacting with such envelop between the flap and body thereof, a fiap-moistener coacting with said picker and said flap, and means for transmitting motion to the forward edge of said picker in a broken line, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a vibrating picker coacting with such envelop between the flap and body thereof, a movable moistening device for said flap carried into cooperative relation to said flap by said picker, a stationary supply-reservoir with which said device coacts, and means for pressing said fla against said moistening device, substantia ly as set forth.

9. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a stop having recesses, sectional ressure-rolls operating in proximity to sai stop, fLI/igl a vibrating picker coacting with said env lop between the flap and body thereof to pass said envelop between said stop and pressure-rolls, substantially as set forth. i .10. The combination with means for suppor ng an envelop, of a stop having recesses, ressure-rolls operating in proxim ity to sai stop, and a vibrating picker coacting with said envelop between the flap and body thereof to pass said envelop between said stop and pressure-rolls, the forward edge of said picker having movement in a broken stantially as set forth.

11. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a stop, an underlying, yieldingly-supported pressure device, a picker and means for actuatmg the same to cause it i voir, and a moistener secured to said 'iicker to engage said envelop, between the flap and body thereof, and pass the same between said stop and said device in a broken line,

substantially as set forth.

12. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a stop provided with recesses, an underlying 'ieldingly-su iported pressure device including sectional rolls (-0- acting with the recesses in said stop, a picker, and means for vibrating the same to pass between the flap and body of an envelop and to 1' move said envelop between said stop and pressure device, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a picker eoacting with said envelop between the flap and body therewith said guide cam or rib, substantially as i set forth.

of, and means for moving the forward edge of 3 said picker in a broken line, substantially as set forth..

14. The combination with means for slipporting an envelop, of a ivotally-n'iounted picker coacting with sai envelop between the fiap and body thereof, and a guide cam or rib governing the direction of movement of the forward edge of said picker, substantially as set forth.

I 15. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a pivotally-mounted picker coacting with said envelop between the flap and body thereof, a guide cam or rib governing the direction of movementpf the forward edge of said picker, and means for assuring coaction between said picker and said guide cam or rib, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination with means for sup- I porting an envelop, of a vibratingpicker coacting with aid envelo between the flap and body thereo an under ying stationary reserand coacting with said reservoir, su stantially as set forth. I

17. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a vibrating picker coacting with said envelop between the flap and body thereof, an underlying stationary 19. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a picker coacting with said envelop between the flap and body thereof to move said envelop forward, means for reciprocating said picker and causing its forward edge to move in a broken line and means for simultaneously a plying moisture to, the inner surface of said ap, substantially as set forth.

20. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a vibrating picker coacting with said envelop between the flap and body thereof to move said envelop forward, and means, including a stationary reservoir and continuously-connected absorbent moistener moving with said picker, for simultaneously applying moisture to the inner surface of said fiap, substantially asset forth.

21. The combination with means for supporting an envelop, of a vibrating picker pivotally mounted intermediate of its forward and rearward ends, means for transmitting vibratory movement thereto, a guide cam or rib, and a sheave carried by said icker and coacting with said guide cam or ri substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 24th day of March, 1905.

ERNEST J. BRASSEUR. Witnesses:

M. H. BURKART, R. R. HARRINGTON. 

